Fruit and vegetable juice filling machine



June 18, 1935. s. PITTALUGA FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 11, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR STEHNO PlTTHLuqn June 18, 1935. s. PITTALUGA FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 11, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZINVENTO'R TEFANO Pwmwcin June 18, 1935. PITTALUGA 2,005,471

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 11, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VE NTOR FANQ PITTRLUGR bodying this invention and applied to operate UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FILLING MACHINE Stefano Pittaluga,

San Leandro, Calif.

Application December 11, 1931, Serial No. 580,301

6 Claims.

An object of the invention is to provide means whereby cans may be automatically charged with syrup, soups, tomato juice, or tomato paste to the exact amount required to properly fill the 5 can, practically without waste or dripping of the liquid; and whereby the work may be performed withgreat rapidity. The invention comprises a machine adapted to operate simultaneously upon a plurality of cans; 1Ov receiving the cans at one place, moving them in train and delivering them from the machine at another place, the liquid or syrup being introduced into the cans as the cans pass through the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a revolving feed tank provided with plurality of valves that open into a can directly underneath said valve; the cans are successively delivered to and held upon a drum rotating on a practically vertical axis so that the cans are carried around with the drum, thus placing each can in position under each valve, the feed tank beingmounted on a universal joint to allow the cans underneath to operate the Valves at certain positions.

Other objects are simplicity and increase of production.

Machines of various sizes and containing various numbers of valves may be constructed. I Changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention may appear from the accompanying drawings,- the subjoined detail description and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a filling machine emupon a moving train of cans, some of which are shown being fed into the machine. of the feed chute is also shown.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 showing the feed tank tilted to the correct angle to permit the cans to operate the feed valves when the machine is in operation.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 323-433 Fig. 2 showing a plan View of the geared adjustment for the delivery and discharge conveyers.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatical view partly in section on line m l-34 Fig. 2 showing the drum with notches into which fits a can in each w notch and the lower disc is shown underneath A fragment said upper notched disc; the belt drive is shown along with an adjustable geared guide for keeping the cans in proper position; part of the universal joint being shown in sections; cans are shown being fed to the drum and the guards being omitted to disclose the delivery and discharge conveyers.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan detail view showing one of the valves.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line :1:G--m6 Fig; showing the construction of the valve and. a can in place just before the valve is opened.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental detail front view showing a can in position underneath a valve as the can is first fed into the machine.

Fig. 8 is a View analogous to Fig. '7 showing a position just as the can starts to operate the valve.

Fig. 9 is a view analogous to Fig. 6 showing the valve in open position.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a different type of valve showing a fragment of the feed tank.

Fig. 11' is a section on line a:l|a:ll Fig. 10 showing the valve in position just before being opened.

Fig. 12 is a view analogous to Fig. 11 showing the valve in open position allowing the liquid to flow into the can.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the air vent and center valve stem.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmental detail view partly in section showing the feed tank and drum and showing the universal joint connecting the two. A fragment of the main frame is also shown.

Fig. 15 is a fragmental plan detail view of a type of valve used for tomato paste.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the valve shown in Fig. 15 in closed position.

Fig. 17 is a view analogous to Fig. 16 showing the valve in open position.

The machine comprises a rotatable drum I rotating on a vertical axis, a delivery conveyer 2 mounted at the left front of said drum to deliver cans 3 thereto, means'to cause the cans to revolve with the drum and a discharge conveyer 4 mounted at the right front of said drum to carry the cans therefrom after said'cans have moved around with the drum, each can being filled with liquid during nearly one revolution of the drum.

A circular feed tank 5 rotatable on a universal joint 6 directly above said drum l furnishes the supply of liquid to the cans 3 through a plurality of valves l equally spaced therein.

Said delivery and discharge conveyers 2 and 4 may be of any desirable form and in the present instance comprise the form of discs rotating in the direction as shown by the feathered arrows, and being positioned on a level with the top of the lower disc 8 of the drum l.

The drum I is fixed to the vertical shaft 9 by a set screw 9a and said shaft is mounted in bearings I0, I! of the main frame !2 that may be fixed to a floor or foundation by bolts l3.

To revolve the drum 2, driving means comprising a motor l4 through motor pulley I5, belt l6 connecting with pulley ll fixed to the shank lS of the driving pinion i9 that meshes with the plate gear 29 fixed to the vertical drive shaftx2l that is provided at its top with the drive pulley 22 fixed thereto over which the driving belt 23 fits and connects to the drum I fitting over the belt shoulder 26 as shown in Figs. 2 and4 of the drawings.

The vertical drive shaft 2! being held and rotable in'the bearings 25, 26 of the'bracketsZl, 28 respectively that are fixed to the mainframe and abearing collar ZQkeeps said shaft in alignment.

Thedelivery conveyer 2 and discharge con- "VGYEYQ fixed to the vertical shafts 3H and 3| respectively that are journalled in the bearings 32,

33,454, 35 of the'brackets 23, 36 and 3'! and are driven through the adjustable-geared chained -mechanism33 comprising a chain 39 passing over 'comprising inner guards 44, and outer guards 46 and 11 respectively.

The feedchute shown at' sa is for empty cans only, and cans of fruit that may be'fed to the delivery conveyer'will be fed-by means not shown.

A guard it that circles partly around the outer edge-of the drum' [preventsthe cans fromdropping ofi the'disc while the drum isin rotation.

As the cans are fed to the machine to be filled atthe delivery end of the (human adjustable sprocket drive mechanism 50 comprising a sprocket chain 5! that rotates over the sprocket in the slot of the 'bariit which is pivoted'at 5'! and having an extension"58 'slidablyimounted "in the slot'59' and a spring ttlfixed'to the auxiliary framefil connects'withthe'extension' 58to keep the sprocket drive'mechanism in "position against the cans as shown in Fig. 4.

"The sprocket drive mechanism 5!] is "driven through gear 62ithat is mounted at 63 on the bar "64 and oscillates with the extension bar 56 and meshes with gear 65 that is fixed to shaft'3lJ.

The drum! is" provided with a plurality of notches 66 equally spaced around its periphery into which the cansfit and fi'l indicates the angle or the periphery between notches so that the can .may ride against it and slip into a notch as the cans are being fed into the drum.

Fixed to the lower disc 8 of the drum l are sockets 68 located directly under each notch 66 that permits the bottom end of the can to fit into and which rests on the lower disc 53 thus holding the can securely while the drum rotates.

section 69 that is heldintegral with the tank proper by the ribs 1E and forms the upper section of the universal joint 6 and is connected to the lower section ll that is integral with the drum I through the pins 12 and ring 13. A band 14 is shown that holds the pins 12 in place.

The upper section 69 is provided with a shaft extension 15 that rotates in the adjustable bearing 78 which is adjustablymountedin slots 11 of the auxiliaryiframel il by bolts18. This construction permits the feed tank to be set at an angle and to rotate at this angle while the cans operate the valves to fill the cans with liquid.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5 to 9 inclusive, the valve l comprises a valve stem 19 having a valve 80 at its lower end and a guide 8| at its top end. The feed tank 5 is provided with a plurality of openings82 equally spaced in its bottom into which is slidably mounted a valve seat 83 having a downwardly extended opening 84 into which is seated at the bottom the valve 80. *An'air vent 85 is provided in the valve seat'an'd connects with the vertical pipe 8B that allows'any air to escape from the canwhen itis being filled. *A'rubber 'ga'sket ET is shown held'inplaoe by-a *collar"88 that is fixed to the bottom of the tank by'the' screws' 89. To open the valve 80 thecan' 3fpresses against the rubbergasket fll which"in"tum'raises the valve seat'83' which operates thelever means 90 comprising a lever-90a, pivoted at90b'to'abracket We and'operable by a springBUd that is'mounted -on=a vertical'rod title which isfixed to the'fiange 921f of the valve seat 83 to unseat the'valve flll thus permitting the liquid to flow intothe'ean 3. To close -the valve after the 'canis'filled a spring "closing'mea'ns is providedcomprising the springs 9 l 'mounted 'on vertical rods 92*and "fixed to thevalveseat 83 and-a guide"bracket-93.that

isfixed' to thebottom'of the feed tank at 94 keeps the rods -92 in vertical alignment and also; forms --a shoulder for the springs 9 I To keep the valve stemfi-t in alignment a valve bracket 95 is-"shown and forms a shoulder for a spring flfi that is interposed 'betweenthevalve 80 and valve" bracket shoulders 91. The operation of the valves isassisted' by thef-eed tank rotating on" the universal joint 6 as the cans are fed into thedrum-l'*as w'ill-be explained in the operation ofthe'machine.

'In Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive is shown" another formof'valve that may be used-comprising an annular rubber gasket 98 having an annular'slot 99 that fits snugly over the-edge-ofhole 82-'and a flanged sleeve I 00 slidably mounted in the gasket 'QS. A hollow valve-stem lfll isheld'sta- 'tionary'iand centrally-mounted in the *flanged sleeve and is provided at its bottom end with a rubber washer L02 provided with a metal-band H33 and held in position on the valve-stem 'l'fll by a nut I 04 underneath and above the washer gasket'98'forcing the flanged sleeve J00 .upward' I and unseating the valvethusxallowingthe liquid to flowinto the can as showniin'Fignl2 of .zthe drawings. After the can is removedifrom the position shown the valve :is closedby the springs I08 that are mountedon the flangedssleeve I00 and held in position by the rods I09.

Referring to Figs. 15, 16 and l'? a type ofsvalve is shown that may beused when feedings. tomato paste? to the cans comprising an annular rubber igasket llfllhaving a groovelll extendingtfrqmrr the hole of the gasket 1 ID to the outside to form 'an air vent.

A flanged sleeve H2 provided with a roller ll3that acts upon the arm 'll4 ofthe valve H that is pivoted at H 6 to-thefeed tank 5as shownin Fig. 1''! in open position and in Fig. lfiinclosed position.

In operation the motor I4 is turned on by the operator starting the drum l,feed tank 5, delivery and discharge conveyers 2 and 4 rotating in the directions indicated by the feathered arrows through the drive means and reduction gears heretofore described. The cans are then fed to the delivery conveyer 2 which carries the cans around through guards 44, 46 to where just before passing on to the drum disc 8 the cans are caught by belt 23 and sprocket drive mechanism 50 which carry the cans onto the drum l and into place in each notch 66 and pocket 68. At this point there is ample space between the valves 1 of the feed tank 5 which has been filled with liquid and the top of the can and places the can in position directly under the valve.

As the drum rotates the feed tank rotates also but on the universal joint 6 that has an upper section 69 provided with a shaft extension 15 that is adjustably mounted off the center of the ma.- chine and at an angle causing the feed tank to converge as it rotates forcing the top of the can to force the valve 1 open allowing the liquid to flow into the can.

The timing of the machine is so regulated by the operator that each can is filled to its proper height at the time set allowing no leakage of the liquid.

Just before the drum completes a revolution the can has been filled as shown at 3a and passes on to the discharge conveyer 4 and around through guards 45 and 4'! on to other conveyers where the cans are capped in the usual manner.

I claim:-

1. A fruit and vegetable juice filling machine for cans comprising a drum rotatable on a vertical axis; a feed tank rotatable on a universal joint directly above said drum; said universal joint having an upper section provided with a shaft extension adjustably mounted off the center of the machine and at an angle causing the feedtank to converge at a certain point as it rotates; means for automatically feeding cans to said drum; a plurality of valves to hold the cans and contents in place as the same are filled throughsaid plurality of valves equally spaced in said feed tank operable by said cans during rotation of the drum and means for conveying the cans from the drum.

2. A fruit and vegetable juice filling machine for cans comprising a drum rotatable on a vertical axis; a circular feed tank rotatable on a universal joint directly above said drum; a delivery conveyer mounted at the left front of said drum and adapted to deliver cans thereto; a plurality of valves; said universal joint having an upper section provided with a shaft extension adjustably mounted off the center of the machine and at an angle causing the feed tank as it rotates to converge at a certain point allowing said valves to contact saidcans; said plurality of valves to hold the cans and contents in place as the same are filled through said plurality of valves equally spaced in said feed tank operable by said cans during rotation of the drum and a discharge conveyer mounted opposite said delivery conveyer and adapted to carry the cans therefrom.

3. A fruit and vegetable juice filling machine for cans comprising a feed tank. rotatable on a universal joint; a drum rotatable on a vertical axis; a delivery conveyer mounted at theleft front of said drum and adapted to deliver cans thereto; said feed tank provided with a plurality of valves equally spaced therein; said universal joint having an upper section provided with a shaft extension adjustably mounted off the center of the machine and at an angle causing the feed tank as it rotates to converge at a certain point causing the top of the cans to force the valves open allowing the liquid to flow into said cans; means to hold the cans and contents in place as the same are filled during rotation of the drum and a discharge conveyer mounted opposite said delivery conveyer and adapted to carry the cans therefrom.

4. The combination in a fruit and vegetable juice filling machine for cans of a drum rotatable on a vertical axis provided with an upper and lower disc; a feed tank mounted above said drum to fill the cans; a delivery conveyer mounted at the left front of said drum; a discharge conveyer mounted opposite said delivery conveyer; said conveyers being positioned on a level with the top of the lower disc of the drum and the cans being adapted to successively move onto the drum from the delivery conveyer; an adjustable feed mechanism mounted above said delivery conveyer to keep said cans in position while being fed to said drum; said feed tank rotatable on a universal joint and provided with a plurality of valves; said universal joint having an upper section provided with a shaft extension adjustably mounted off the center of the axis and at an angle causing the feed tank to converge at a certain point as it rotates forcing the top of the cans to force the valves open allowing the liquid to flow into said cans; said cans to revolve with said drum and tank for nearly one revolution and then to successively move from the drum onto the discharge conveyer and means to hold the cans rigid during and after being filled.

5. A fruit and vegetable juice filling machine for cans comprising a frame having a base at its bottom and an auxiliary frame at its top; said frame forming a housing for a vertical drive shaft; a drum provided with an upper and lower disc fixed to and mounted at the top of said drive shaft; said drum provided with a shoulder underneath the upper disc having a driving belt mounted thereon and said belt to fit over a drive pulley connected to a drive means comprising reduction gears and motor means; a circular feed tank rotatable on a universal joint that is provided with a shaft extension adjustably mounted at an angle causing the feed tank to converge at a certain point as it rotates and said joint connecting said drum t" the feed tank to rotate together; a plurality of valves equally spaced inside said feed tank and operable by the cans as the feed tank converges to contact the valves and cans that are carried in position directly underneath said valves by the drum; and means to feed said cans to the drum and means to discharge the cans from the drum.

6. A fruit and vegetable juice filling machine for cans comprising a frame having a base at its bottom and an auxiliary frame at its top; a vertical drive shaft housed in said frame; a drum provided with an upper and lower disc fixed to and mounted at the top of said drive shaft; said drum provided with a shoulder underneath the upper disc and a drive pulley with a belt mounted thereon and said pulley connected to a drive means through reduction gears to a motor; a cirgethel; a plurality of valves equally spaced inside 'cular feed tank rotatable on a universal joint that said feed tank and operable by the cans placed in is provided with an upper section adjustably position directly underneath said valves by the mounted at its top to the auxiliary frame at an drum; and means to feed said cans to the drum 5 angle to tilt said feed tank and said joint conand means to discharge the cans fromthe drum. \1 5 necting said drum to said feed tank to rotate to- STEFANO PITTALUGA. 

